"Happy Hour" complete with full orchestra

Media Release for immediate release 19 February 2003

"Happy Hour" complete with full orchestra

Instead of going to a bar for that well-deserved drink at the end of the working week, get some friends together and head to the Town Hall for an "orchestral" Happy Hour. The bar will be open, and the biggest band in town will be ready to entertain you.

On Friday 14 March, at 6pm, the first of the Auckland Philharmonia's Happy Hour concerts takes place in the Auckland Town Hall.

Auckland Philharmonia Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya ("The continuity and narrative thrust of this performance had to emanate from the podium where Harth-Bedoya presided with theatrical flair and unflagging control." LA Times), and Sarah Bradley (Business Editor/Reporter for TV3 News and Nightline, plus occasional presenter for Nightline - in addition to being a talented jazz singer who can tango and an actor who can perform Molière in French!), will guide you through this entertaining concert which features excerpts from Schumann's Cello Overture, Sibelius's Symphony No 5, and New Zealand composer Lissa Meridan's Blast, together with background information about the works and composers.

The soloist is acclaimed Chinese cellist Li-Wei who greatly impressed audiences when he performed here in 2001, and who was described recently in The Strad magazine as "...the most gifted young cellist I have heard".

The Auckland Philharmonia's Happy Hour concerts are aimed at the newcomer to classical concerts who wants to gain an insight, as well as the music lover who wants to know more. Everyone therefore can gain something from attending, and aside from the advantage of being able to enjoy a drink while watching the concert, tickets, at $30, are "two for the price of one" (so one $30 ticket admits two). For bookings phone 0800-PHILHARMONIA (0800-744 542). ENDS

For further information, photos, interviews contact Caroline Nelson, Publicist, Auckland Philharmonia, phone (09) 638 7073, 025 244 1299, email crn@aucklandphil.co.nz

Caroline Nelson Publicist, Auckland Philharmonia PO Box 56 024, Dominion Road Auckland, New Zealand Ph +64 9 638 7073 (x 219); Fax +64 9 630 9687 Mobile 025 244 1299; Email crn@aucklandphil.co.nz Website www.aucklandphil.co.nz

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